BBC could axe outdoor World Cup matches after violence

The BBC is threatening to pull the plug on big screen broadcasts of England's World Cup games after violence erupted at the first events.

Trouble flared in Liverpool and London as thousands gathered in the sunshine on Saturday to watch the national team take on Paraguay.

But police ordered the screen to be switched off at Canary Wharf, East London, after sections of the 6,000 crowd started hurling missiles, including bottles, in the second half.

And similar scenes marred fans' enjoyment of the big match atmosphere in Liverpool's Clayton Square, where 2,000 had gathered.

BBC bosses are now considering cancelling screenings of England's next game on Thursday against Trinidad and Tobago amid fears of more outbreaks of violence.

Stores in Liverpool have called for the next event to be banned.

There was also disorder caused by drunken England fans in Frankfurt where 13 were arrested.

A female officer was struck in the face with a bottle during a tense stand off with 200 fans at around 11pm, but German police in riot gear managed to diffused the situation.

But the scenes were not as ugly as those back in England.

Big screens were set up by the BBC in nine towns and cities across the country which were attended by a total of more than 60,000 fans.

While most passed peacefully, police were called to Canada Square at 3.30pm - 30 minutes into the second half - after Canary Wharf security guards lost control as a brawl broke out involving around 200 fans.

Batons used to control crowd

Officers used batons to hold back the crowd and 16 people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The screens were shut down while the police restored order, but no arrests were made.

'It was just pandemonium,' said one security guard. 'All hell broke loose midway through the second half when a group of rowdy youths started throwing beer at each other.'

Another witness blamed a lack of security.

'It was crazy to have an event like that and not have enough security.

'One security guard told me that a five-year-old boy got hit on the head with a glass bottle.'

The screen in Liverpool was also switched off shortly before the end of the 1-0 victory when fans started throwing water bottles and cans at the screen.

The move sparked further violence among fans angry at missing the final minutes of the match.

As riot police with batons and shields moved in, Clayton Square and St John's shopping centres were closed as fighting spilled on to Williamson Square and into the fountain.

No one was injured and there were two arrests - but shop staff and witnesses said it could have been much worse.